Maratha Quota Protest Ends: Activist Manoj Jarange calls off hunger strike after government concedes demands

The Maratha quota agitation in Mumbai officially concluded on Sep 2 as activist Manoj Jarange Patil ended his five-day hunger strike at Azad Maidan.

Jarange declared that the protest had achieved its objectives following the Maharashtra government’s issuance of a Government Resolution (GR) granting Kunbi caste status to eligible Marathas from the Marathwada region, enabling them to access OBC reservation benefits in education and government employment.

The Bombay High Court had previously intervened due to escalating public disruption caused by the protests. On Sep 1, the court described the situation as “very serious,” criticizing lapses by the Maharashtra government in managing the unrest.

It directed that Azad Maidan, where Jarange and his supporters were stationed, be vacated by 3 pm on Sep 2, warning of legal consequences if the order was not followed.

During the agitation, several areas of Mumbai, including major roads and transit hubs, experienced disruptions. Authorities reported incidents of public inconvenience and minor clashes.

Following the court’s directive, law enforcement monitored the protest site closely to ensure compliance.

With the government’s concessions, the court acknowledged resolution of the key issues and adjourned further proceedings.

The state government also assured the withdrawal of criminal cases filed against participants in the agitation, with implementation expected by the end of September.

Additionally, families affected during the protests will be compensated as part of the government’s resolution to restore civic normalcy.

The Maratha community, constituting a significant portion of Maharashtra’s population, has long campaigned for reservation benefits under the OBC category.

The recent agitation, led by Jarange, brought renewed attention to their demands and prompted high-level negotiations between the activist and government authorities.

Following the conclusion of the protest, traffic and public services in Mumbai returned to normal. The resolution marks a significant development in the ongoing discourse on caste-based reservations in the state, highlighting the interplay between grassroots activism, legal oversight, and government policy.